Forests, meadows, undergrowth: dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors in natural areas are particularly exposed to ticks and what they transmit. Here's how to recognize the risk, act quickly, and prevent effectively, all year round and not just in summer.

The tick cycle and why the risk lasts all year

Contrary to popular belief, ticks don't disappear completely in winter — they remain active as soon as the temperature exceeds a few degrees, even in mild weather in the middle of winter. Peak activity occurs in spring and autumn, but a dog that regularly visits forests, meadows, or undergrowth remains exposed for a large part of the year, particularly in a region like the Greater Region with its many forested areas.

Diseases transmitted by ticks

  • Piroplasmosis (babesiosis) — destroys red blood cells, can progress very quickly; fever, dark urine, sudden fatigue are warning signs
  • Lyme disease (borreliosis) — intermittent limping, fatigue, joint or kidney damage in advanced forms
  • Ehrlichiosis — affects the immune system and can cause clotting disorders

These diseases don't always appear immediately after the bite — a delay of several days to several weeks is common, which makes monitoring after every outing all the more important.

Recognizing warning signs

Unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine, limping that appears with no obvious cause, swollen lymph nodes: these signs, especially if they appear in the days or weeks following an outing in a risk area, warrant a prompt veterinary consultation rather than prolonged observation alone.

Removing a tick correctly

  • Use a tick remover (a dedicated hook tool), never fingers or ordinary tweezers, which risk crushing the tick and increasing the risk of transmission
  • Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, without crushing it
  • Turn gently (in one direction, without pulling abruptly) until it detaches completely, head included
  • Disinfect the area after removal and monitor it over the following days (persistent redness, swelling)

Prevention: the levers that make the difference

  • A suitable antiparasitic (collar, spot-on, tablet depending on the dog's profile), to be renewed according to the protocol recommended by the vet — more frequent during periods of high exposure
  • A systematic check after every outing in nature, particularly around the ears, between the toes, under the armpits, and on the belly — areas where ticks readily settle
  • Regular brushing, which helps both detect a tick early and spot the start of skin irritation
  • Avoiding letting the dog wander into tall grass during peak activity periods, when possible

A heightened concern for active and working dogs

For dogs that regularly train or work in forests or rural areas (search, tracking, outdoor dog sport), cumulative exposure is markedly higher than for a companion dog with more limited outings. A reinforced antiparasitic protocol and near-systematic checks after every session then become professional reflexes, not just occasional precautions — early detection of a tick almost always changes the outcome when facing these diseases.